As the chime of the New Year drew near, festive melodies transcending borders filled the air. From 6:00 to 8:40 p.m. on December 30, the “Bridging Cultures, Welcoming the New Year” International Students’ Carnival unfolded in full splendor at the Lecture Hall of the Information Building at Zhejiang Industry & Trade Vocational College (ZJITC). The event brought together international students, members of the college’s art troupe, Chinese student volunteers, as well as college leaders. Guided by bilingual hosts, participants engaged in captivating performances and heartwarming interactions, creating a memorable cross-cultural celebration to welcome the New Year.

The hosts opened the evening by greeting guests in both Chinese and English, outlining the evening’s program and instantly energizing the audience. Student representatives Gusha Lona from South Africa and Irismatov Arlanbek from Kazakhstan shared their experiences of studying and living at ZJITC, expressing gratitude for the college’s thoughtful support and extending sincere New Year greetings to both Chinese and international faculty and students. Their heartfelt words conveyed optimism and hope for the year ahead. South African entrepreneur Sibuyi Judy Bongiwe commended the college’s efforts in advancing international educational exchanges. She encouraged international students to cherish their experiences in China, actively immerse themselves in Chinese culture, and enhance their personal growth through meaningful cross-cultural interactions. She also wished ZJITC continued success in its endeavor toward expanding its Chinese-foreign educational cooperation. During the Cultural Corner segment, bilingual videos vividly illustrated the cultural significance and traditional customs of New Year’s Celebrations — from the origins of Yuan Dan (New Year’s Day) to modern festivities, helping international students gain a deeper understanding of Chinese New Year culture and enriching the carnival with profound cultural depth.

At 7:00 p.m., the Chinese-foreign performance showcase officially began, treating the audience to a spectacular audio-visual feast that seamlessly blended global flair with Chinese charm. The college art troupe’s modeling team presented the catwalk show entitled Shadow of Elegance, in which the models, dressed in elegant traditional costumes, perfectly embodied the charm of Oriental aesthetics. Noni’s upbeat and dynamic rendition of Lotto instantly lifted the energy of the hall, while Lv Yiling’s performance of My Beauty drew the audience into a spell of serene enchantment.

The college’s dance team followed with three distinctive and vibrant dance performances —Whiplash, Abracadabra and It’s OK I’m OK. With synchronized and powerful movements, the dancers exuded youthful passion and vitality, earning waves of applause. Karshyga Dinmukhamed from Kazakhstan then captivated the audience with a dombra solo of Adai. The instrument’s unique timbre and flowing melodies showcased the distinctive charm of Kazakh culture, making the performance a standout highlight.

A series of vocal performances followed: Wang Jiangjing’s The Sun Never Sets, a duet of Love Story by Ren Yifan and Liang Ziyi, and the college choir’s renditions of Call Me Maybe. Alternating between Chinese and English songs, the performances intertwined singing, applause, and cheers into one joyful New Year symphony.

The interactive session proved to be an even more delightful highlight of the evening. In the Chinese tongue-twister challenge, international students took the stage with great enthusiasm. Though some pronunciation faltered, their playful spirit and earnest efforts won the hearts of the audience. The Chinese Whispers relay game saw international students teaming up and collaborating closely, with hilarious information transmission errors triggering waves of laughter —creating a relaxed atmosphere where language learning turned into shared joy, bridging gaps and nurturing cross-cultural friendship.

By 8:30 p.m., as the event drew to a close, all students joyfully shouted “Xin Nian Kuai Le!” (“Happy New Year!”) in unison, their voices echoing with excitement. Cheerful music filled the hall, Chinese and international students and teachers joined hands, dancing together in celebration — transcending barriers of nationality and language. Friendship and warmth that knew no borders were shared and cherished amid waves of laughter and joy. This ZJITC International Students’ New Year Carnival not only provided a platform for cultural exchange and personal expression but also enabled international students to experience firsthand the festive joy and warmth of a Chinese New Year celebration, further deepening mutual understanding and strengthening the bonds of friendship between Chinese and international youth.